Abscond is a term referring to the deliberate fleeing or conealing of oneself in order to avoid a court's jurisdiction. It typically is used in the case of a debtor who travels covertly in order to place himself out of the reach of the court's service of process when creditors attempt to summon the debtor to appear to answer a claim for payment.
Abscond may also be used to refer to a person who flees the jurisdiction to avoid arrest. Also, a person may be said to have absconded when they leave un expectedly with funds or goods that have been stolen.